Tamale’s Mayor, Sule Salifu, who recently gained attention for slapping the Northern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Sulemana Yakubu, has issued a formal apology to the officer.
Prince Kwame Tamekloe, Rainbow Radio’s correspondent in the region, reported that Mayor Salifu sent elders to Sulemana Yakubu’s residence to convey the apology.
The Mayor, also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Tamale Central, expressed deep regret for his actions and took steps to address the situation.
He acknowledged responsibility for the consequences of his behaviour and disclosed that he had covered all medical expenses incurred by the health officer due to the incident, along with providing undisclosed compensation.
“There was a letter sent on Saturday that Sule Salifu has sent some elders to go and apologise to the health officer at his residence. He paid all his hospital expenses and compensated him as well to calm him down,” Tamekloe said.
Despite Mayor Sule Salifu’s apology to the Northern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Sulemana Yakubu, members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the constituency are calling for his removal from office.
They urge President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take decisive action regarding the assault on the health officer.
The controversy stemmed from a recent transfer decision made by Yakubu, which included an acquaintance of Mayor Salifu among 18 staff members.
This decision led to a heated confrontation between the two, culminating in Mayor Salifu allegedly slapping Sulemana Yakubu three times.
Despite the regional minister’s intervention, the mayor initially refused to issue an apology to the health officer.
However, Mayor Salifu later sent elders to Yakubu’s residence to convey his apology, expressing remorse for his behaviour and assuming responsibility for the consequences.
He also covered all hospital expenses incurred by Yakubu and provided undisclosed compensation.
The Tamale Metro Assembly and Northern Regional Coordinating Council, under the Local Government Staff Association, threatened to demonstrate in response to the incident.